product parade: cheese grater

a favorite kitchen toy - Alessi's cheese grater

As kitchen accessories go, I love to look but must buy with caution.  Our storage is sparse so any tool must serve multiple purposes or be high-frequency in its use. Alessi's hand held cheese grater has graced my kitchen for many years.  It's been used by all members of our family and some helpful friends. This little gem has only one purpose but is a work horse in our cheese-loving family.

A favorite purchase on a trip to San Francisco (oh, so many moons ago), this grater is easy to hold, perfect for engaging young helpers.  It's cheerful design graces our table on pasta nights and  I have been know to put it in the fridge with leftover cheese for use the next morning in a fritata.

Red is a signature color in our kitchen!

Do you and your family have a favorite kitchen tool?

product parade: bola granola

breakfast today and most weekdays

My weekday breakfast routine is rather predictable - Bola granola with yogurt or milk, and coffee or tea.  Our mornings are a busy time - eating breakfast with the boys, feeding the pets, planning the day, etc.  I like a quick bowl of granola because it is easy to assemble and keeps me going until my late-morning snack. Sometimes in the winter months, I'll dedicate a morning to making my own granola and love to make gifts of it around the holidays.  But most often, I keep a bag or two of Bola on hand for breakfast. 

Thanks to Liz at The Wooden Crate for introducing us to this 'local' gem!

product parade: american spoon salsa

american spoon salsa and lime tortilla chips

Last night, after 'Midnight Madness', I arrived home to a happy husband.  What was the recipe for his contentment? A blissful combination of: the children asleep in their beds, our dog asleep at his feet, Monday Night Football on the TV and a plate of chips and salsa in his lap.  Who wouldn't be happy?  Don't let the tropical colors fool you, this Mango Habanero Salsa packs a yummy one-two punch - sweet & heat!



As a devoted fan of all things American Spoon, I thought today would be the perfect time 'talk' about this little gem.  I discovered the Michigan based, American Spoon, more than a decade ago, while visiting my in-laws at their summer place.  The American Spoon storefronts are distinctive and each features an enticing 'tasting bar', showcasing their popular preserves.  (Christmas tip: They ship worldwide their delicious products in beautiful packaging)

If you don't know American Spoon, click here to visit their online shop and here to request a copy of their catalog.  When this baby arrives in the mail - I sit down and read it like a magazine. Great graphics, gift ideas and recipes!  Enjoy!

gingerbread construction (prep time!)

Trader Joes' Kit - so easy to assemble!

Four cousins (with some assistance) tackled their gingerbread houses with great enthusiasm.  You may recall that this year's kits are from Trader Joe's and they were the easiest I've ever assembled.  This amazing kit has holes positioned to make assembly puzzle-like - a must for those who are deterred by the frustration of collapsing walls and chimneys. We put all the candy out on display and each 'artist' collected supplies on paper plates for construction. Aunt Terry's quick recipe for icing follows - great for inspired architects who need more than the kit supplies. 

whipping up an extra batch of icing

Gingerbread House Icing

- courtesy Aunt Terry

Ingredients:

2 egg whites

1/8 t cream of tartar

3 c powdered sugar

1-2 t water or lemon juice

Directions:

Beat till a smooth, icing forms.  She uses her hand mixer - add extra liquid to thin if needed.

Inspiration links:

~ National Gingerbread House Competition

~ Gingerbread House Contests and Displays in your area

~ Grandfather sharing his passion for gingerbread building

Our assembly line ...

Product Parade: Gingerbread Houses

Trader Joe's Gingerbread House Kits

I confess to loving a good and messy craft every once in awhile.  And why not at the holidays?   When our kids were little, they received gingerbread house kits from family friends (Thanks Noelle & Marjorie!) and so began an annual tradition of decorating gingerbread houses in our family.  One year it was a train (yikes - luckily Aunt Deb was around to help put that together!) and other years we purchased homemade kits through a local charity. 

This year we'll be decorating kits with cousins on the Friday after Thanksgiving and I snapped up four kits at Trader Joe's today. These adorable little ski chalet kits were only $7.99 a piece.  I understand the icing will take a little work - but extra icing is a must for this lavish crew. And although the kits include candy - we always add generously from a host of favorites and the occasional leftover from Halloween.  I think these kits will be perfect for a group - charming enough to inspire some creativity but small enough to finish in an afternoon.  We'll be sure to post some pics of the process and their masterpieces!